Moana Live-Action Earns $18 Million on Opening Day

The live-action remake of Disney's "Moana" generated $18 million in domestic box office revenue on its opening Friday, March 22, 2024. The film opened in 3,875 North American theaters, but its initial performance did not meet Disney's anticipated splash. Industry estimates project the film will gross approximately $45 million through its opening weekend.

This weekend projection of $45 million is notably lower than the original animated "Moana" film, which earned $56 million during its opening weekend in November 2016. The original film went on to achieve significant commercial success and critical acclaim, becoming a beloved part of Disney's animated canon.

Analysts are closely watching the film's performance to see if it can gain momentum throughout the weekend and into the following weeks. The live-action adaptation faced competition from other films in release, but its performance on opening day suggests a potentially softer debut than typically seen for major Disney releases.